St. Landry democrat., 1887-11-26

vertlng to the manner In which the election
in 1876 was carried. 1t has been said: Why
the people carried the eleeti9n and not Gov
ernor Nichols. No particular credit has
been claimed for Governor Nichols growing
OUT of the carrying OF the election in 1876.
ANSWER To THE CLAIMS AS 70 H MANNER
IN WHICH II ELECTION WAS CAR
RED IN 1876.
The lain which we ave advanced is no,
that Governor Nichols rendered any greater
services to this people tnan any Other man
in carrying tho election, but that by his
ssgacity, mis- tirnnes9 and his prudence. the
results of that election were fully realized.
Let us take a retrospective view. Is it denied
that we carried the election il 1872! Ia II
denied that under the leadership of that
gallant gentleman, John MeEnery, we did
not make every effort and sacrifice TO REAP
its results? Is it denied that we did not 90
even to the lengCh of elcct1ng a Republican
TO the senate OF the United States, i'll order
to succeed? Is 1t not known TO every man
that we did not succeed? Is 1t denied that
we carried the election in 1874? Great aB
may have been the gallantry and neroism
displayed in Ouachita or elsewhere, Is 1t
claimed that it was greater than that ex-
hlblted by the gallant men who rose on tile
14Jh Of September. ana laid down their lives
10 brush away the Carpet-bas government
yet did we wins Is 1t pretended that when
our legislature met i'll 1874, We had not a
majorityi Yet IL it not known to all men
that In order to even obtain a partial result
OF our victory at the polls, a com promise
called the Wheeler compromise was entered
Into!
In 1876 we entered upon the struggle with
less results flowing from tha election Itself
than had come from any OF the othere which
l have mentioned. In the previous elections
our success at the polls mad been triumphant
ana overwhelming. In 1877, when Nichols
was called to the helm, we found ourselves
handicapped by the fact that the M
af our own party had returned IL majority in
favor of the Republican party on joint
ballot. We found ourselves confronted with
the appalling LANCER that the electoral vote
OF this state was necessary for the success of
tha Republican party.
Despite all these.tacts, without the shed
ding OF Il drop of blood, without the sacrifice
of any great principles, without the conceS-
sion OF q United States senator, without Civ
ing up the results-the fruits Of the election
We won and our government was estah-
Nshed. What reason, what logic ls there,
therefore,, in talking about how the election
was carried. when We are claiming how the
fruits OF that election were galnedl
ASSERTION THAT WE Il A~TrRIEUTING TO
NICHOLS CREDIT WHICH BELONGS TO
oTTERs.
Another charge which has been advanced
is thai III claiming for Nichols the credit Or
having WOE the fruiLs of the election, we
ale endeavorlng 10 invest him with q credit
which does not belong To hin, and thereby
to attribute TO him the merit OF others.
The pretenslon Is ~unfOuuded. IN tho
very outset OF this Campaign, at the very
first meeting held We openly AMI publicly
declared that whilst We desired to claim for
General NICHOLS the credit which was his
due, we desired to take from no man the
credit which was his. We desire TO cOnceGe
and did coucede III the fullest terms, not
emily The gallantry OF the people OF this
state, not only The wisdom and sagaclty OF
all the members of the legislature. but also
the energy and activity displayed by our
representatives at Washington.
1t is now publicly asserted that we have
attempted to belltr!e every one else in our
effort TO attribute to General Nichols. the
credit which Is his own. Claim has been Hd-
yanced thar our victory was won in q certain
at Washington. Whatever may
been the efforts, my friends, OF that
and whatever the results which
came from tt, | submit as too clear for dis
that the results OF that conference
would have been futile and powerless In
deed had General Nichols not previously
had the hrinUess aud sagaclty TO put his
government on foot, the nerve to establish
his court, the courage to refuse to act when
action was pressed upon him and when TO
have : leldeo would have been fatal.
These contradictions and tergiyersations
result from the logic Of the third term they
show how the mind is driven TO illogical
coHCluSiJuS Liz ~ Is dLlSul pICu w HldiI-
tain q principle fundamentally and radically
Let Us give to every man the
which is due TO bin. Let us say yes.
orly the labOrs OF Nichols, but the
-aoors or Boatner, the LABOR OF Stubs. OF
OF bt. Landry, OF George, OF
Of MCGEE, of Young. of Dupre of
Baton Rouge, OF G0ode, now past away, and
If q host OF others. all the members OF the
assembly, whose names l do not
mention. OF Gibson, OF Burke. OF Ellis, OF
Ogden ana his gallant followers all-all
TO the result.
APPROXIMATION OF H
Yet another assertion 10 made by our OPP
,onents. | believe, and what ls that asser-
ION That Governor Nichols should pc de-
Gated because If ne were nominated he
would Africanize the state. 1t Is Gil asser-
ION, my friends. which I DO not think [ am
allied upon 10 answer. 1t ls an assertion
which | conceive that you and every Demo
rat of this state will resent "a an insult to
our intelligence and as a reflection upon
he fair name OF yourselves and those who
re dear TO you. Who is the mar about
whom this assertion is made! The gallant
older who stand here before you. The
gentleman who in every act
his life has been true to his people; who, |
allied in 1876 to be our leader against Afri- |
sniZatioD, led US to success and victory by
be courage and sagacity which [ have al
described.
But it is said Governor McEuery is in
avOr of a white mans government ana We
ave had all ample discussion Of the neces-
ity Of the domlnancy OF the white race.
VINO denies ita What act OF Governor
,icholls' is relied upon to Make this people
elieve that he does not favor the supremacy
t intelligence in our affairs, and when or
here did he ever advocate any plans or
romulge u policy that would subverr the
supremacy Of Democratic doctrine,
T of the civilization OF our fathers in this
SGnA ADDnlntInpnt9 of Governor,
of Republicans are referred to-ap-
otntments made during the struggle Of
S77, for the purpose OF securing the supre-
lacy of the Democratic party and for fill
lg up that quorum which the returns of
ur own Democratic party had declared 10
ne world we had not a right to.
A gentleman has said that whilst Governor
'icnolls did everything well up to a certain
/ his letter to President Hayes; which
btatned the withdrawal OF the federal
that his government would be IN
ayor OF abolishing the color line. Why, my
THAT was the theory upon which the
ampaign IN 1876 was conducted. 1t WAS the
leory adopted by the convention which
Governor Nichols.
Why. fellow. citizens, have you forgotten
lat platform and the pledges made at Baton
ouge on July "a, 1876, by the convention
hich nominated Governor Nichols and
adopted the platform on which
10 canvass was conducted! Let me read to
ou:
I'VE declared to the world on behalf Of
le Democracy as follows:
We fully recognize the bind
& effect of the tnree recent articles of
nendment TO the constitution of the United
,ates ana accept the same as q final settle-
emit of the controversy that engendered
vii war and we pledge ourselves to protect
very citizen in the exercise OF the rights
,quired and guaranteed by SAID amend
enrs whatever be hls race or color or pre-
GUS condition"
Have you forgotten the speech made by
overnor Nichols in which he put himself
Iuarely in accord with the platform? Have
III forgotten the speech Governor Wilt
AIDE after that of Governor Nichols, in
hIch he said:
II feel satisfied that our colored fellow